Residents from Jacksonville’s Northside, Oceanway, and San Mateo neighborhoods expressed unease regarding prevailing youth violence, drug-related issues, emergency response delays, and ongoing mental health crises.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Wednesday night, these pressing concerns took center stage as Sheriff T.K. Waters engaged with local residents during a town hall session organized by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in District 6.
This gathering was part of Sheriff Waters’ broader initiative of citywide town hall meetings, aimed at bridging communication between law enforcement and community members. It provided an opportunity for individuals from Northside, San Mateo, and Oceanway to directly address issues and share their concerns with top officials.
For Sharon and Pastor Mark Bivins, residents from the Northside, the meeting held significance beyond merely listening to law enforcement updates.
“We’re concerned about our neighborhood. We’re concerned about our community,” Sharon Bivins stated, emphasizing their commitment to addressing the challenges facing their area.
The couple said they regularly attend Sheriff Watch and Citizens Planning Advisory Committees (CPAC) meetings and encourage their neighbors to get involved.
Pastor Mark Bivins said community members also have a responsibility to help keep their neighborhoods safe.
“We need to look out for one another,” he said.
The District 6 town hall was the fifth stop in JSO’s community meeting series.
District 6 Commander Scott Lundquist told attendees overall crime in the district has dropped 6.4% compared with the previous year. However, he acknowledged some ongoing concerns.
“One of the things that comes up at Sheriff Watch meetings is transients and noise complaints with houses,” Lundquist said.
During the question-and-answer session, residents raised concerns about suspected drug houses and slow response times from officers.
Waters urged residents to report suspected drug activity and provide as much information as possible so investigators can address those complaints, noting that where there are drugs, violence often follows.
Residents also asked how JSO is responding to mental health crises.
Waters said the agency partners with mental health professionals who respond alongside officers when it is safe to do so.
“Our clinicians ride with our JSO officers and we’ll get them to a scene of a person in crisis as long as there are no weapons involved,” Waters said. “Wherever there’s an issue involving a mental health issue, we try to get as many people on board as we can.”
Some attendees expressed frustration that the Northside does not receive the same level of attention as other parts of Jacksonville.
“Police are supposed to protect and serve, and that’s what we’re looking for them to do on the Northside,” Sharon Bivins said. “The Northside seems to get treated like the stepchild.”
Waters rejected that characterization.
“Well, I can tell you the Northside is not overlooked for me,” he said. “We don’t overlook anyone. We care about every corner of this city.”
Jacksonville resident Rhonda Boyd said she is particularly concerned about youth becoming involved in crime and wants to see stronger protections against gun violence. Over the weekend, police said a 12-year-old boy was shot during a gathering at a park in Moncrief.
She also said residents have a role to play in improving public safety.
“The sheriff’s office can’t be everywhere, but we are everywhere,” Boyd said. “We’re in our neighborhoods and we see what’s going on. We should be more aware of situations going on so we can be the eyes and ears.”
The final stop in JSO’s community town hall series is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Aspire Church, 1435 Atlantic Blvd., for residents in District 1.
You can see what district your home is in by checking JSO’s interactive map.